Testing additions of Pseudomonas fluorescens HYK0210-SK09 to mitigate blooms of the diatom Stephanodiscus hantzschii in small- and large-scale mesocosms

Abstract

An algicidal bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens HYK0210-SK09 (SK09) was applied to a natural bloom of Stephanodiscus hantzschii using a small-scale mesocosm (SM) and a large-scale mesocosm (LM) to clarify the algicidal effects and evaluate the response of the planktonic community and environments. When SK09 cells were inoculated at a final concentration of 5 x 106 cells mL-1, the abundance of S. hantzschii decreased significantly by 95% in SM and 85% in LM. The microcosm in the laboratory revealed that the abundance of Pseudomonas increased rapidly after inoculation with a corresponding decrease in the S. hantzschii population. Nutrient concentrations increased following the diatom cells. The abundances of non-dominant species such as Chlamydomonas, Cryptomonas and Navicula increased slightly with increased nutrient concentrations. The abundance of heterotrophic protists also increased significantly due to utilization of SK09 as food. The present study demonstrates that SK09 is an effective bio-control agent for natural S. hantzschii bloom and grazing pressure plays a crucial role in the successful application of algicidal bacteria to natural environments.